Ritson School Project survey

Introduction

The vision for the Ritson School Project will see the creation of a new mixed income community, where the renovation of the former elementary school building, new affordable housing and community programs will be provided on the site. The project includes using the school property for a mix of uses, including sustainably built housing, preserving and reusing the school building, and providing redesigned publicly accessible open space areas.

Your voice matters! Your ideas are essential to help shape the Ritson School Project. This survey asks Durham residents for input to inform the details of the public spaces for this important redevelopment project. Participation in the survey is voluntary. LURA Consulting, a local independent consultant, will compile the results into a summary report. The survey will take approximately three to five minutes to complete, and all questions are optional. The survey will be open until September 11, 2024.

If you require assistance with the survey, please email RitsonSchoolProject@durham.ca.

Notice of Collection

Personal information contained on this form is collected pursuant to s. 11 of the Municipal Act 2001, and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Your information on this survey will be used to assist the Region with exploring potential uses for 300 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, and may be subject to disclosure under the MFIPPA if circumstances warrant. The Region will not be collecting identifying information related to your electronic submission, such as IP addresses. Questions regarding the collection, use and disclosure of information associated with this form should be directed to the Access and Privacy Office by email at foi@durham.ca or by telephone at 905-668-7711, extension 2204 or toll free at 1-800-372-1102. You may also review the Region of Durham’s Terms of Use and Privacy Statement for more information (https://www.durham.ca/en/regional-government/terms-of-use-and-privacy-statement.aspx).


Highlights of project objectives and plans 

Regional objectives aligned with the Ritson School Project 

Aerial photo of neighbourhood with property lines for the Ritson School Project outlined.

 

  • Create a new mixed income community with affordable housing.
  • Create new walkable, accessible and public places. 
  • Provide opportunities for new community and public services.
  • Revitalize the area and reuse the designated heritage building.
  • Build new environmentally friendly, sustainable buildings.



The proposed Ritson School Project site will have three blocks:graphic that displays residential property, commercial and community property, public space, future development, the former Ritson School, and public plaza space.

  • Block 1 includes townhouses, a mid-rise building and a pedestrian oriented public open space behind the school. 
  • Block 2 will maintain the heritage building and includes two new mid-rise buildings surrounding a large green space in front of the school.
  • Block 3 includes mid-rise buildings along future realigned Olive Avenue. There will be a new public street on the north end, underground parking and street-level community service uses.




Precedent images for the Ritson School Project plans

five images that highlight outdoor community space. (Clockwise) Top left image shows storefront buildings with people walking outside; paved path with two people walking and talking; overview image of trees, sidewalk and road, with people walking and cycling; illustration of buildings with a large path in the centre filled with people walking and some trees; people playing in an outdoor basketball court and some people sitting on bleachers to watch.


The Ritson School Project is guided by the following development principles:

  • Efficient and flexible phasing: Plan for three phases of redevelopment: Phase 1 will be behind the school with approximately 160 units. 
  • Mixed housing: Provide a mix of market and affordable housing units, a mix of unit sizes and partnerships
  • Design excellence: Promote excellence in architecture urban design.
  • Accessible movement: Ensure that pedestrian routes, public open spaces and future buildings are designed to be highly accessible and will promote pedestrian movement.
  • Built and cultural heritage: Built and cultural heritage will be protected, preserved and enhanced through the reuse of the Ritson School building. 
  • Community connections: Transit use will be promoted and the ground floors of buildings will provide services to the broader community.
  • Sustainability: New climate resiliency and low impact development measures will be included to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the urban heat island effect.
  • Placemaking: Opportunities for placemaking will be provided through building placement, landscaping, public art, culture and heritage preservation.
  • Traffic connectivity: Future development will provide traffic connections and will avoid conflicts with existing intersections.
  • Inclusive open space: Two new publicly accessible open space areas will be provided.
  • Parking: Parking and service elements of new buildings will be underground.